Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be here with His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation.

New York City has the famed Russian Tea Room.

Geneva has this beautiful Russian Room.

Thanks to Russia’s generosity, it has been completely refurbished.

It showcases Russian history and heritage.

You may be aware that Russia was also responsible for renovating the Security Council consultation room. There, too, Russian culture is on display.

I would like to thank the Russian Federation for its continuing support -- not only for the physical upgrading of UN premises, but also for recent political advances.

Last year’s P5+1 agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme was a major achievement.

I also want to commend Foreign Minister Lavrov for his work with U.S. Secretary of State Kerry towards resolving the nightmare in Syria.

These efforts show the importance of promoting peace through dialogue.

This Russian Room will serve that purpose.

The room may be small – but big and important discussions take place here.

It will continue to be one of the special places here at the Palais des Nations.

I am pleased to declare it open for business -- or perhaps I should say, open for diplomacy!

Thank you.